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I was researching for this blog post about half an hour ago when I stumbled across something I hadn’t seen before. Originally, I was going to feature Christina Aguilera as my latest girl crush, but all of that changed when I clicked on this link:

I dare you to watch it. Better yet, I dare you to watch it without being encompassed by her beauty. Watch it without being mesmerised by her flawless make-up, her tiny waist and seriously sexy presence.

Dita Von Teese has been in the business since 1992 and is the biggest thing to hit the scene since Gypsy Rose Lee back in the 40s and 50s.

The more I learn about Ms. Teese the more I idolise her. Having taken her fascination with pin-up imagery and vintage lingerie and turned it into a world-renowned talent is impressive in itself – but now having brought burlesque back into the spotlight and making millions off the back of it, she is now entertainment of choice for high-brow events such as shows for Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Cartier and Louis Vuitton.

Currently in the midst of her ‘Strip Strip Hooray’ Summer tour in America, Dita’s perfect performances leave me wide-eyed and open-mouthed. You will often hear me say how there are certain women in the world that force me to question my sexuality – Rihanna, Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian have all left me in a similar quandary before – however there is no question when I watch Dita. She is the official girl crush.

The way she unties her corset to the beat, or rolls her stocking off within a blow of the sax, or how she catches you looking a little too closely – her stage presence is one of a kind. I can’t even take my bra off in a rush of an evening…

Off-stage, Dita comes across refreshingly humble. In an interview on ‘Loose Women’ in the UK she told host Andrea McLean that she does all her own hair and make-up and doesn’t even have a stylist:

“I have no stylist, I don’t use hair and make-up people, I don’t like to have an entourage at all.

When I was little I used to watch a lot of old movies with my mother…I come from a small town in Michigan and I’m a natural blonde. I always felt ordinary and boring.

I kind of like this idea of the big Hollywood make-over and I saw pictures of Marilyn Monroe when she was Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe’s real name) but it’s totally different when they did all the make-up and the hair and the clothes…I like the idea of creating glamour.”

A girl after my own heart! There’s nothing like wearing a look differently than everybody else – it gives you a warm mix of confidence and anxiety, especially when you live in a small town where the rest of the community prefer the everyday comfort of leggings and jeans!

Being treated to a champagne carvery at the Strand Palace’s hotel restaurant (“The Strand Carvery”) already made me feel a million dollars. Especially after a day shopping in Camden in the blazing sunshine. Almost perfect.

Little did I know that the grand finale of my birthday in London awaits right round the corner, at the Lyceum theatre.

As the curtain rose and the ensemble began ‘The Circle of Life’, genuine tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I realised I was about to witness the critically-acclaimed theatre acquivalent of my all-time favourite Disney film. Live on stage. Right now.

Sung in perfect symphony and displayed in a stunning visual, the opening scene blew me away. I’m not a theatre buff, I’m not a keen stage director nor am I a critic of any sort. BUT right from the start I was open-mouthed; speechless.

As far as costume designs go, nothing can compare to those in the Lion King. It’s clear that it has taken an untold amount of time, dedication and art to create such a striking resemblance to what we could only imagine the characters would look like had they come to life.

I was afraid to blink in case I missed something!

At the start, I was anxious to see how the ‘Stampede’ scene would be re-created as, let’s not lie, it’s the most emotional, pivotal scene in the story. I needn’t have worried! Each and every animal has been accounted for in intricate detail, with choreography to match.

SERIOUSLY, the ONLY advice I can give you from here is GO AND SEE THIS AMAZING show. Humourous, emotional, visually mind-blowing and heaven for your ears it is everything you expect from an award-winning West End show.